Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: The Unforeseen Variable
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“Ma, Marquis Dwayne!
Mainsen was one of the informants working under Marquis Dwayne.
His belly jiggled with every step, sweat pouring down his face—he looked like he might collapse from exhaustion at any moment.
“What is it?”
Marquis Dwayne, known as the Iron Mask.
He was the closest aide to Second Prince Byron and one of the kingdom’s top strategists.
Unlike Mainsen, he had a lean build, but the solidity radiating from beneath his clothes meant he was more than just a strategist.
Even with Mainsen’s noisy entrance, Dwayne didn’t look up from the documents he was reading.
Saleron responded urgently.
“Baron Biovan, whom we sent to Saleron with the 2nd Battalion, is returning.”
“……What?”
Dwayne’s hand paused mid-page. His gaze soon shifted to Mainsen.
“Baron Biovan is returning?”
“Y-Yes.”
“How is he returning after going to Saleron? Has Saleron fallen?”
“They say he’s already wiped out the two thousand barbarians crossing into Saleron.”
“Absurd. Baron Biovan’s battalion is only a thousand strong. Unless those stupid barbarians bashed their own heads against the walls, it’s impossible.”
It was truly an unbelievable situation.
Subduing them was practically impossible; merely defending Saleron would have been a successful expedition.
And to do that, they’d have needed to hold out through a siege.
Dwayne had expected it to take at least two months, yet they were back in less than a week?
Even accounting for the round trip to Saleron, that meant the actual fighting lasted no more than five days.
Dwayne set down his documents and exhaled through his nose.
Something he hadn’t even anticipated had occurred.
“Ma-Marquis?”
Mainsen called out, anxious at Dwayne’s silence. But Dwayne offered no reply, lost in deep thought.
A moment later,
“We need to send someone to Saleron first.”
“Why is that?”
“There’s clearly some variable we don’t know about. Otherwise, it’s impossible.”
Had another knight order intervened?
If a knight order with aura-wielding knights had gotten involved, it was plausible. However,
‘I couldn’t miss something like that.’
He had already monitored all groups that could threaten the Third Prince’s side.
Yet none of them had stirred.
That meant there was something he didn’t know.
‘I’ll find out what it is first.’
Without knowing the cause, resolution was impossible.
“We need to learn every detail of how the battle unfolded—without missing a single thing. Everything about how Baron Biovan subdued the barbarians, down to the smallest detail.”
“Understood!”
Mainsen turned his rotund body and hurried out of the room. Once alone, Dwayne rose from his seat.
“Variables in future plans are a problem.”
Heh.
“So it flows like this?”
For some unknown reason, Dwayne smirked, lifting the corner of his mouth.
Was it that they wouldn’t go down easily?
‘They must have an ace up their sleeve.’
He didn’t like the unexpected event, but if the variable was just Biovan’s 2nd Battalion, it wasn’t a major concern.
The only question was what lay behind it.
Dwayne glanced outside before heading somewhere.
* * *
“Uwaaah, home!”
Even this outdated barracks felt this cozy.
The 6th Squad, back at Kurtain—the headquarters of Eagle Company—flopped onto their bunks with a strange sense of liberation.
The wooden beds were hard, but oh so comfortable.
Lian watched Isaac sit down gingerly.
“You worked hard.”
“Hard? Kyle carried all my stuff.”
“Heh heh heh, no big deal.”
Kyle burst into laughter at Isaac’s words.
Everyone’s faces showed a newfound ease now that they were back at headquarters.
Lian unpacked his gear in the barracks, then headed to Tyler at his summons.
Not just Lian—other squad leaders gathered one by one.
Once all the squad leaders were assembled, Tyler spoke.
“You all worked hard traveling back. Get plenty of rest today.”
““Yes sir!””
“And tomorrow, the Battalion Commander will come to award merits to a few soldiers who distinguished themselves in this battle. Of course, everyone will receive their battle bonuses separately.”
“Oooh!”
“What about leave?”
“Of course.”
Tyler grinned, and the squad leaders grinned back.
It had been a tough battle, with many wounded.
But Eagle Company’s casualties weren’t heavy, and with bonuses and leave on top, who wouldn’t be thrilled?
The squad leaders hurried back to their squads to share the good news.
As Lian turned to leave,
“Lian.”
“……?”
Lian turned at Tyler’s call. Tyler approached and extended his hand.
“I might not get to greet you like this after the awards ceremony.”
“…….”
Tyler was the platoon leader, a Fifty-Man Commander.
If Lian became a Hundred-Man Commander able to operate an independent unit, he’d likely outrank Tyler.
Lian took Tyler’s hand.
“I could stand such merits thanks to the platoon leader’s consideration.”
“Heh heh heh, glad to hear it. Anyway, even if you promote this time, let’s keep in touch.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
Lian gripped Tyler’s hand firmly in farewell. And the next day, as Tyler had said, 3rd Battalion Commander Telpon visited Eagle Company’s base for the awards.
Five individuals received special rewards this time.
Most were officers, including Company Commander Raymond—the only squad leader was Lian.
“6th Squad Leader Lian, step forward!”
After the officers received their rewards, the adjutant beside Telpon called Lian’s name.
At the call, not just 6th Squad but the entire Eagle Company erupted in applause, congratulating Lian.
“You’re Lian?”
“It’s an honor to meet you, Battalion Commander.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you from Baron Biovan. He said he wanted to take you to the 2nd Battalion.”
“I’m grateful for the high praise, but I love the 3rd Battalion and Eagle Company too much.”
“That’s not what one says when asking for something big.”
Telpon chuckled and glanced at the adjutant beside him. The adjutant unfurled his document and bellowed.
“Eagle Company, 6th Platoon, 6th Squad Leader Lian—for crossing the Isis River in the battle against the barbarians at Saleron, enabling the entire battalion to reach Saleron swiftly; for contributing to the first victory through ambush; and for pinning down enemy leader Galrel’s feet, greatly aiding in his death! His merits are beyond what a mere squad leader should claim, so the following reward is bestowed!”
The rapid-fire declaration ended without a breath, and the man paused to catch his.
“Promote Ten-Man Commander Lian to Second Lieutenant on the battlefield! Specially elevate to Hundred-Man Commander and grant authority to operate an independent unit! This is a special measure for Lian’s merits.”
“……What?”
“Hundred-Man Commander?”
“Eek?!”
The shocking, unprecedented announcement stirred not just the soldiers but the officers as well.
A special jump from Ten-Man Commander to Hundred-Man Commander.
It was one of the most dramatic promotions in kingdom history.
Only Raymond wore a satisfied smile, watching Lian.
“Quiet!”
The adjutant shouted at the commotion.
The announcement wasn’t over.
The atmosphere hushed instantly at his bellow.
Some still looked dazed or couldn’t hide their shock.
The adjutant continued.
“Additionally, 50 gold in bonus pay, and a residence in Kurtain for the duration of your service as a soldier!”
“I expect great things ahead.”
“I’ll strive harder!”
As the adjutant finished, Telpon extended his hand to Lian.
Lian replied loudly, shaking it.
“Waaaaaah—!”
“Hu-Hundred-Man Commander?!”
“Our squad leader’s a Hundred-Man Commander?”
Starting with 6th Squad, Eagle Company’s cheers rang out.
After the ceremony,
“Come see me a moment, Lieutenant Lian.”
Telpon called Lian.
Caught off guard, Lian followed him to the command office.
“Sit. Relax. I just want to chat a bit.”
“I’m fine.”
Lian sat across from Telpon and met his gaze.
Telpon pulled out a cigar as thick as his finger and lit it.
Unlike his slender frame and youthful looks, his smoking style was rugged.
“Whew.”
Exhaling a long plume, Telpon said to Lian,
“You racked up massive merits in a short time. Just two battles.”
“……I was lucky.”
“You really think so?”
“Yes.”
“Tsk tsk tsk, just as boring as Biovan said.”
Telpon asked various questions.
About his family, why he joined the army, and such.
He was especially interested in Lian’s archery.
“Your hands don’t look like they’ve held a bow much. Nothing particularly special about them.”
Intriguing yet mysterious.
‘A completely different person since the Phelon Gorge battle.’
Even his military service.
Reports said he was utterly average at enlistment.
But from Phelon Gorge, he’d acted boldly, achieving the impossible.
‘I’ll see watching him.’
But that didn’t matter much.
Telpon’s interest in Lian stemmed from another reason.
“Thought of a name for your unit?”
“Not yet.”
“Then I— ….”
“But I was going to ask Company Commander Raymond.”
“Company Commander Raymond?”
“Ah, weren’t you about to say something?”
“Ahem, nothing.”
At Lian’s words, Telpon stood.
“Tch, that’s not bad either.”
His expression soured despite saying so.
‘Am I imagining it?’
Oblivious to Lian’s thought, Telpon said,
“See you next time.”
“……Thank you.”
Lian bowed and left the office.
A nagging unease lingered, like he hadn’t wiped properly, but whatever.
Finding Raymond took priority.
Lian headed to the company commander’s office.
Raymond, curious about what Telpon had wanted with Lian, greeted him warmly.
“Oh, Lieutenant Lian!”
“Haha, you flatter me.”
“Heh heh, sit.”
Once seated, Lian looked straight at Raymond.
“I have a favor to ask, Company Commander.”
“A favor for me?”
Raymond tilted his head. Lian smiled awkwardly.
“Could you name my unit?”
“Your unit?”
Surprised, but not displeased, Raymond pondered.
“Hmm…… Your unit name…….”
After much thought, Raymond snapped his fingers.
“How about Arrowhead Unit?”